The 1927 Ford street rod was a contender in the America's Most Beautiful Roadster competition | Russo and Steele photos

A multiple award-winning 1927 Ford Model T street-rod roadster named Chocolate Rose, will be one of the highlights of Russo and Steele’s 15th annual auction in Monterey next month.

The 1927 Ford street rod was a contender in the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster competition | Russo and Steele photos

A multiple award-winning 1927 Ford Model T street-rod roadster named Chocolate Rose, originally built to compete in the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster pageant at the 2014 Grand National Roadster Show, will be one of the highlights of Russo and Steele’s 15th annual auction in Monterey next month.

The name is derived from its terra cotta paint hue of chocolate rose, naturally, and the low-slung rod was one of the finalists in last year’s Most Beautiful Roadster contest. Few off-the-shelf parts were used in the build, with most of the components fabricated by hand, including a uniquely stylized exhaust system that can be admired only with a floor mirror or on a lift.

The Model T body has been lengthened by about four inches and includes a custom-fabricated firewall and rear body section, smoothed cowl, flush windshield, hidden hinges on doors, custom gas tank, and hand-formed dash. The frame and suspension were also hand crafted.